What do you think?
Rate this book
The Performance
Naive and talented, Hana Knight is a young classical pianist who has been gifted with a musical upbringing, a magnificent Steinway piano, a place at Juilliard and a patron who arranges everything, from her Manhattan apartment to her first European tour.
In the midst of her meteoric career, Hana becomes increasingly aware of an unusual follower, a homeless woman named Jacqueline who sells handmade mittens and collects empties to buy tickets to Hana's concerts. She manages to track down the evasive woman and they develop a tenuous friendship. But as Hana learns more about Jacqueline, the wall she has built between her past life and her new one begins to crumble. As the novel builds in tension, a potentially career-ending encounter forces Hana to finally face the dark truth behind her privileged upbringing.
Simultaneously lyrical and gripping, and told with clear and powerful prose, The Performance is eloquent in its depiction of the strikingly different worlds that coexist within a single city: the wealthy circles of Manhattan's cultural elite, and the stark existence of those who struggle to survive from day to day.
In the midst of her meteoric career, Hana becomes increasingly aware of an unusual follower, a homeless woman named Jacqueline who sells handmade mittens and collects empties to buy tickets to Hana's concerts. She manages to track down the evasive woman and they develop a tenuous friendship. But as Hana learns more about Jacqueline, the wall she has built between her past life and her new one begins to crumble. As the novel builds in tension, a potentially career-ending encounter forces Hana to finally face the dark truth behind her privileged upbringing.
Simultaneously lyrical and gripping, and told with clear and powerful prose, The Performance is eloquent in its depiction of the strikingly different worlds that coexist within a single city: the wealthy circles of Manhattan's cultural elite, and the stark existence of those who struggle to survive from day to day.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 22, 2017
Although I didn't win The Performance on a Goodreads Giveaway, I was intrigued enough to go looking for it. Ann Erikkson's multi-layered, pensive novel is a delicate interplay on the healing power of beautiful music, the resilience after betrayal, the conflicting ties of family and choosing to see life as it really is and was, not as others' illusion. It is a powerful story about Hannah Knight, a virtuoso pianist and sheltered young woman whose goals for success are gradually cleaved of their single-minded vision, with grief opening her eyes to the plight of others and her connections to them.
I was touched by this book. There are many interwoven themes - as I have formerly noted. Guilt is a concept examined: when a family member has behaved badly toward others, if he/she does not accept responsibility, what happens to the guilt? How does it impact the lives of the family - What do they lose? Do they own responsibility for the victims, when they did not see the crime, which in turn hurt them? Secrets...not quite secrets, lies...not quite lies, isolation and separation within a family... Erickson has drawn a subtle yet compelling portrait of loss, entitlement, homelessness and quiet, satisfying self-actualisation.
**** Recommended for those who appreciate novels by the likes of Diane Chamberlain.
I was touched by this book. There are many interwoven themes - as I have formerly noted. Guilt is a concept examined: when a family member has behaved badly toward others, if he/she does not accept responsibility, what happens to the guilt? How does it impact the lives of the family - What do they lose? Do they own responsibility for the victims, when they did not see the crime, which in turn hurt them? Secrets...not quite secrets, lies...not quite lies, isolation and separation within a family... Erickson has drawn a subtle yet compelling portrait of loss, entitlement, homelessness and quiet, satisfying self-actualisation.
**** Recommended for those who appreciate novels by the likes of Diane Chamberlain.
August 18, 2017
This novel was presented as a Concerto with sections subtitled under a Prelude, three Movements and a Coda, but it did not quite live up to that promise.
Hana Knight is a classical music prodigy, snatched from Vancouver and sent to the Juilliard School in New York, and there taken under the wing of her benefactor, Mrs. Flynn, and put on the concert circuit. Hana is harbouring a grudge against her financier father, David, whom she insists is dead. Her mother is suffering from dementia back home and is under the care of her sister and brother. In New York, she is being followed by a mysterious street dweller, Jacqueline, whom she seems drawn to. Jacqueline is a stubbornly independent, non-communicative type with a passion for classical music.
Hana comes across as impulsive but a bit of a cold fish, flitting with her relationships: one hour with boyfriend Michael whom she has been away from for a month is all she can spare, given her main focus being her music. She also breaks the heart of her only close friend in New York, Kenji, and destroys his career with her self-centredness. And yet, Hana’s attraction towards Jacqueline is unusual; it’s as if she wants to care for the destitute woman inasmuch as she is unable to care for her own mother. Hana’s attachment to Jacqueline and her gathering estrangement from Mrs. Flynn also exposes the 1% vs. the rest of the world that is amply showcased in New York City.
The Second Movement pushes the tempo into high drama as Jacqueline reveals her true motive, the secret of David comes out, and baring her fangs, the street dweller puts Hana’s career at risk. But the Third and last Movement lapses into tepid waters, and it looks like the main action is over and the author is trying to tie all the loose ends and finish the book. We are still left with some loose ends, just as in life, and that is good.
Some observations stayed with me:
a) Classical musicians are glorified cover bands for they merely reproduce the work of others, they don’t create anything.
b) There are 40,000 people sleeping in New York shelters every night, half of them children.
c) The transition between rich and poor in the USA is very easy - just lose your job and your medical coverage.
The author has researched the concert pianist milieu well, and portrayals of the well-to-do vs. the impoverished are very well done. The action flows like a good tune, and yet, the prose is pedestrian and doesn’t have the richness of a Chopin piece, Hana’s favourite composer.
Hana Knight is a classical music prodigy, snatched from Vancouver and sent to the Juilliard School in New York, and there taken under the wing of her benefactor, Mrs. Flynn, and put on the concert circuit. Hana is harbouring a grudge against her financier father, David, whom she insists is dead. Her mother is suffering from dementia back home and is under the care of her sister and brother. In New York, she is being followed by a mysterious street dweller, Jacqueline, whom she seems drawn to. Jacqueline is a stubbornly independent, non-communicative type with a passion for classical music.
Hana comes across as impulsive but a bit of a cold fish, flitting with her relationships: one hour with boyfriend Michael whom she has been away from for a month is all she can spare, given her main focus being her music. She also breaks the heart of her only close friend in New York, Kenji, and destroys his career with her self-centredness. And yet, Hana’s attraction towards Jacqueline is unusual; it’s as if she wants to care for the destitute woman inasmuch as she is unable to care for her own mother. Hana’s attachment to Jacqueline and her gathering estrangement from Mrs. Flynn also exposes the 1% vs. the rest of the world that is amply showcased in New York City.
The Second Movement pushes the tempo into high drama as Jacqueline reveals her true motive, the secret of David comes out, and baring her fangs, the street dweller puts Hana’s career at risk. But the Third and last Movement lapses into tepid waters, and it looks like the main action is over and the author is trying to tie all the loose ends and finish the book. We are still left with some loose ends, just as in life, and that is good.
Some observations stayed with me:
a) Classical musicians are glorified cover bands for they merely reproduce the work of others, they don’t create anything.
b) There are 40,000 people sleeping in New York shelters every night, half of them children.
c) The transition between rich and poor in the USA is very easy - just lose your job and your medical coverage.
The author has researched the concert pianist milieu well, and portrayals of the well-to-do vs. the impoverished are very well done. The action flows like a good tune, and yet, the prose is pedestrian and doesn’t have the richness of a Chopin piece, Hana’s favourite composer.
March 20, 2021
The dulcet tones of Mozart and Chopin’s music infuse this beautifully written multi-layered, nuanced story of a classical pianist, Hana Knight. Hana has found her way to New York City from Toronto by way of a generous patron.
At several performances Hana can’t help but notice a woman dressed in rags sitting at the back of the venue, knitting.
“A bag lady with a passion for classical music.” (Pg. 50).
It has happened more often than could be coincidence but when Hana tries to approach the woman on the street she is rudely rebuffed.
It is only over time that Hana’s persistence slowly begins to engage the woman, Jacqueline.
As startling secrets from both women come to light the reader finds love, passion, friendship, deceit, betrayal, loss and survival are at the core of a story of lives well lived and lives dashed.
It is the juxtaposition of the elite and the destitute that creates a certain humid temperature within these pages and it is fair to say that the reader is going on an unexpected journey.
At several performances Hana can’t help but notice a woman dressed in rags sitting at the back of the venue, knitting.
“A bag lady with a passion for classical music.” (Pg. 50).
It has happened more often than could be coincidence but when Hana tries to approach the woman on the street she is rudely rebuffed.
It is only over time that Hana’s persistence slowly begins to engage the woman, Jacqueline.
As startling secrets from both women come to light the reader finds love, passion, friendship, deceit, betrayal, loss and survival are at the core of a story of lives well lived and lives dashed.
It is the juxtaposition of the elite and the destitute that creates a certain humid temperature within these pages and it is fair to say that the reader is going on an unexpected journey.
April 22, 2017
I picked up this book to take on a trip. You know what it is like to wait around in airports or to be sitting on an airplane wishing the flight was over, looking at your watch several times to realize that only 10 mins or so have gone by since the last time you looked....
I wanted something to read that was entertaining and easy to follow, something that you could put down and pick up again at your leisure. This book was easy to read, definitely entertaining, but absolutely not easy to put down! I loved this story! Mothers day is coming soon and I can not think of a nicer gift to give to my mother or other friends.
The back cover of the book states " The Performance is eloquent in its depiction of the strikingly different worlds that coexist within a single city: the wealthy circles of Manhattan's cultural elite, and the stark existence of those who struggle to survive from day to day" Hana Knight is the narrator of this story, speaking in first person. She is a concert pianist with a career that is really beginning to blossom when she meets an unusual fan. Jacqueline is a homeless woman that sells homemade mittens and collects bottles to raise money in order to buy tickets to attend Hana's concerts. When the two actual develop a relationship the story begins! The author has written both women's story separately yet woven together in such a magical way, that I never wanted the stories to end.
All I can say is that I really loved this book and when I finished it this am, I was left with wanting more!!
I love books that are so captivating, yet frustrated when I finish, knowing that it is going to be really difficult to find my next "best book" . The Performance is such a book. You will not be disappointed if you decide to pick up this story. If you have a friend who likes to read and you need that "perfect" gift for them....please think about this book!
I wanted something to read that was entertaining and easy to follow, something that you could put down and pick up again at your leisure. This book was easy to read, definitely entertaining, but absolutely not easy to put down! I loved this story! Mothers day is coming soon and I can not think of a nicer gift to give to my mother or other friends.
The back cover of the book states " The Performance is eloquent in its depiction of the strikingly different worlds that coexist within a single city: the wealthy circles of Manhattan's cultural elite, and the stark existence of those who struggle to survive from day to day" Hana Knight is the narrator of this story, speaking in first person. She is a concert pianist with a career that is really beginning to blossom when she meets an unusual fan. Jacqueline is a homeless woman that sells homemade mittens and collects bottles to raise money in order to buy tickets to attend Hana's concerts. When the two actual develop a relationship the story begins! The author has written both women's story separately yet woven together in such a magical way, that I never wanted the stories to end.
All I can say is that I really loved this book and when I finished it this am, I was left with wanting more!!
I love books that are so captivating, yet frustrated when I finish, knowing that it is going to be really difficult to find my next "best book" . The Performance is such a book. You will not be disappointed if you decide to pick up this story. If you have a friend who likes to read and you need that "perfect" gift for them....please think about this book!
January 20, 2019
This book is not long, and is an easy read. It has a gentle beginning – Hana is a concert pianist, young, with a patron organizing a world tour for her, and the world is at her feet. Her life changes when she notices a homeless woman who takes in her concerts and seems to follow her around. Hana becomes obsessed with finding Jacqueline, to know her story, to help her. When finally confronted, the homeless woman (Jacqueline) does not want to engage. Here is where the gentle beginning concludes. After a mugging, Jacqueline finds herself (albeit unwillingly) living with Hana on a short-term basis. The suspense is killing me now… things are happening, and the book is hard to put down.
The second story within this story is of Hana’s parents, particularly her father, whom at first we are told is dead, but not so. The moral tale told in this book, with its observations about homeless people, the top 1% of wealthy, and those of us in between, is what binds the story together.
Definitely worth reading!
The second story within this story is of Hana’s parents, particularly her father, whom at first we are told is dead, but not so. The moral tale told in this book, with its observations about homeless people, the top 1% of wealthy, and those of us in between, is what binds the story together.
Definitely worth reading!
February 25, 2026
I will not make an analysis of thematic strains, nor list the many wonders of this excellent novel. Previous reviewers have done a great job on that. Suffice to say, I loved it! It had me reading night and day until the last page – and I am not someone who ever reads novels in the daytime! The research is impressive, the story is propelling, and continues to resonate in the surprising aftermath.
Enjoy! Especially if you are musically inclined.
Enjoy! Especially if you are musically inclined.
October 31, 2017
Read for 2017-2018 season of Lorenzo Reading series. A new author to me, and an engaging, riveting picture of New York society versus the homeless, world of concert pianists. Plot contains a variety of twists, together with a brief homage to Stephen King's Misery that is not overplayed and totally unexpected. Sad and uplifting at the same time.
May 25, 2017
Book Club May 2017 selection.
Loved the story. Entertaining. Could not put down.
Loved the story. Entertaining. Could not put down.
August 31, 2022
A decent enough story that I probably would have enjoyed more if I had any interest in or liking for the piano or classical music.
January 4, 2017
I generally struggle with being engaged by books in the first person. It was compelling enough to finish, and I enjoyed the descriptions of music and of the world of performance. In many ways though, it reminded me of the Eric Walters-style books we read in middle school to introduce real-world issues to younger readers.
Hana's orchestration of the reveal to Tomas worked very well for the structure of the book but bent plausibility, in my opinion.
Hana's orchestration of the reveal to Tomas worked very well for the structure of the book but bent plausibility, in my opinion.
Read
May 21, 2017Okay. Wished the book was better as I didn't feel any connection to the characters and felt the plot line could have been stronger. Read in a day.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews